Didn't quite work Like I hoped it would, but hopefully you all can get to it.
http://voicethread.com/share/661257/
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Friday, October 9, 2009
Social Learning
The social learning theory is one that I like to use in my classroom, but only as a supplement to the other learning theories. I truly believe that students can and do learn from each other. Because of this philosophy the use of social learning is important to any classroom. Letting students work in groups and use what they know to help others succeed can only help everyone in the classroom. It helps the struggling students to hear the material from someone other than the teacher. It helps those that are succeeding push their understanding through explaining what they know to others. It also helps the teacher because they can work around the room to make sure the students are on task and help when needed, but the teacher does not have to instruct everyone. This dynamic can be very successful as a warm up to a lesson to see what students already know, as a practice method to help students achieve at a higher level, or as a closing activity to have the students present what they have learned from the lesson. All ways are very beneficial to a classroom, but none of them is a substitute for gaining the basis of the core concept through a lesson.
One of the strategies that I read about in Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works by Pitler was using base groups in the classroom (2007). This idea coupled with Dr. Orey’s idea of a jigsaw method brought a great idea to mind that I would like to use in the classroom (Laureate Education, Inc., 2009). The idea behind a base group is that they are, “long-term groups, created to provide students with support throughout a semester or school year” (Pitler, 2007, p. 140). I like this idea because it really lets the students from a relationship and trust with a small group of students. The trust between these students can foster a great learning environment. However, if the students do not work with other students I believe they are missing out on other opportunities that could benefit their learning. So, I would couple this idea with the jigsaw method that lets the group split up and work with one student from every other group. These mixed groups discuss a topic and then the students go back to the original group and report what they learned (Laureate Education, Inc., 2009). By doing this I am allowing students to work with everyone in the class and experience every learning opportunity available while still keeping the trust that they have for the base group. The base group will be gaining even more knowledge because they trust the member that reports back to give them good information. I really think this combination could help students both socially and academically by letting them experience working with everyone in the class.
Even though I really like this way of working in groups I still do not believe that group work replaces other teaching methods. There is a time and a place for students to help each other learn. There are topics that can be researched and done completely with students helping each other, but there are also topics where this just can’t happen and students need more guidance. As the teacher it is always our responsibility to provide the best combination of all the learning theories to maximize our students’ potential.
References:
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Bridging learning theory, instruction, and technology. Baltimore: Author.
Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
One of the strategies that I read about in Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works by Pitler was using base groups in the classroom (2007). This idea coupled with Dr. Orey’s idea of a jigsaw method brought a great idea to mind that I would like to use in the classroom (Laureate Education, Inc., 2009). The idea behind a base group is that they are, “long-term groups, created to provide students with support throughout a semester or school year” (Pitler, 2007, p. 140). I like this idea because it really lets the students from a relationship and trust with a small group of students. The trust between these students can foster a great learning environment. However, if the students do not work with other students I believe they are missing out on other opportunities that could benefit their learning. So, I would couple this idea with the jigsaw method that lets the group split up and work with one student from every other group. These mixed groups discuss a topic and then the students go back to the original group and report what they learned (Laureate Education, Inc., 2009). By doing this I am allowing students to work with everyone in the class and experience every learning opportunity available while still keeping the trust that they have for the base group. The base group will be gaining even more knowledge because they trust the member that reports back to give them good information. I really think this combination could help students both socially and academically by letting them experience working with everyone in the class.
Even though I really like this way of working in groups I still do not believe that group work replaces other teaching methods. There is a time and a place for students to help each other learn. There are topics that can be researched and done completely with students helping each other, but there are also topics where this just can’t happen and students need more guidance. As the teacher it is always our responsibility to provide the best combination of all the learning theories to maximize our students’ potential.
References:
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Bridging learning theory, instruction, and technology. Baltimore: Author.
Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
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